The striker served an eight-week drug ban at West Brom just before his £12m transfer to Stoke.

Hughes said he had never had any reason to doubt Berahino’s claims that his drink was spiked in a nightclub.

The Potters’ boss said it served as a warning to young players about the perils of not being vigilant about such dangers.

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“You have to be careful because unfortunately it’s what can happen in this day and age”

Stoke boss Mark Hughes

Hughes said: “Saido was always very strong on the fact that he had no idea it was in his system and said that was the only way it could have happened.

“You have to be careful because unfortunately it’s what can happen in this day and age. It can happen to anybody. And you can’t afford to be compromised.”

Hughes said it was now time to move on and for lessons to be learned, adding: “There's no reason to disbelieve him. We knew from the outset when we first began that was always his stance and he's never wavered from that.

“Maybe people will understand that happens in this day and age and a lot have been victims. There's no reason to disbelieve him.

“We keep on trying to move on from things. It was something we were aware of, Saido's been clear in his message to us and to anyone that will listen. It doesn't really affect us moving forward in my opinion.”